Our Journey to Financial Freedom

Personal finance was rarely discussed in my childhood. As an only child, I watched my parents struggle to make ends meet, relying on credit cards and eventually filing for bankruptcy. My father’s words—“You will always be in debt”—became a mindset that shaped my financial habits early on.

Two Different Financial Backgrounds

When I met my wife, Krystal, I quickly realized how different our financial upbringings were. Krystal, one of nine children, was taught to “get out of debt as fast as you can.” As we prepared for marriage, we discovered our differing views on money, which led to some challenging but necessary conversations.

The Wake-Up Call

After we got married, I took on the role of managing our finances, believing I had it all figured out. However, within months, we had accumulated over $80,000 in consumer debt—student loans, car payments, and credit card debt. While I considered it normal, Krystal saw it as a major problem.

Realizing we needed to take control, we turned to Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University (FPU). Krystal had already gone through the program, and we started listening to the CDs together. It was then that I learned what it truly meant to manage money wisely.

Breaking Free from Debt

We committed to changing our financial habits:

✔️ Budgeting – Tracking every dollar

✔️ Debt Snowball Method – Tackling smaller debts first to gain momentum

✔️ Cutting Up Credit Cards – At one point, I had over 20!

✔️ Aligning Our Goals – Making Krystal’s dream of being a stay-at-home mom a reality

Through discipline and perseverance, we paid off all our consumer debt by November 2017, allowing Krystal to leave her job and stay home with our children.

The Power of an Emergency Fund

When COVID hit, many faced financial uncertainty. Thankfully, we had built a six-month emergency fund, giving us the confidence to say, “We are going to be okay.” This financial safety net provided a sense of security that we want to help others achieve.

Continuing the Journey: Teaching & Coaching

Now, as parents of four, we continue managing our finances while instilling strong financial values in our children. Our goal is to teach them:

💰 Stewardship – Managing resources wisely

❤️ Generosity – Giving with a grateful heart

📈 Smart Investing – Planning for the future

This journey has fueled my passion for helping others take control of their finances. At McFadden Financial Coaching, we want to guide individuals and couples toward financial freedom.

Step Up & Start Now!

Financial freedom doesn’t happen overnight—it’s a journey. If you’re ready to take control of your finances, we’re here to help.